WOMEN in their 50s are getting Botox injections, facelifts and boob jobs to help them find work.

Even men are turning to cosmetic surgery to wipe years off their appearance, with many hoping a quick nip and tuck will let them compete against more aggressive gen Y jobseekers.

With unemployment rising, statistics show over-50s are likely to remain out of work much longer than younger people.

Professor Phillipa Hay, chair of mental health for the School of Medicine at the University of Western Sydney, said: “We have this ageism and bias against older people — a lot of it against looking old. People say they have to get work. They say they’re not going to get work if they have lots of wrinkles.

“It’s now becoming normalised for women and men to have cosmetic surgery as you head into your 40s or 50s, it’s part of normal life. We’re seeing a great increase in the amount of cosmetic surgery that’s done.”

Figures from 2010 showed 46 per cent of unemployed older people had been searching for a job for at least six months, compared to just 32 per cent of those younger than 55.

Cosmetic surgeons report the number of older patients has ­increased in recent years, in order to be competitive in the jobs market. Double Bay surgeon Dr Van Park said it was “a really common reason” among over 50s for getting cosmetic surgery.

If you’re looking haggard or saggy or have frown lines, people aren’t going to employ you, you have to look the part. You definitely have pressure in my workforce to have Botox or fillers or anything that can keep you looking fresh

“I get a lot of women up against Gen Ys who are really ­aggressive, and they get it done to keep them in the game,” she said. “This has been a trend for four or five years.”

Dr Park, who has been practising for 15 years, said over 50s made up half of her clientele, with Botox and fillers the most common procedures.

Dr Jeremy Hunt, a plastic surgeon in Edgecliff, also confirmed the trend was increasing.

“It’s now a story I hear more and more frequently,” Dr Hunt said. “I don’t think it especially stems from one professional group, in all professions there will be younger people competing for your position.

“People are doing what they feel they need to do to ensure they remain competitive. There’s always a younger person champing at your heels.”

Bettina Clifford, a freelance skin technician from Bronte, has had numerous surgical and non-surgical procedures because of her work.

DO YOU AGREE PEOPLE NEED COSMETIC SURGERY TO GET WORK? TELL US BELOW

“If you’re looking haggard or saggy or have frown lines, people aren’t going to employ you, you have to look the part,” Ms Clifford, 52, said. “You definitely have pressure in my workforce to have Botox or fillers or anything that can keep you looking fresh.”

Ms Clifford, who had her first procedure in her early 40s, said much of the decision was about boosting her confidence, but she admitted also wanting an edge over her younger colleagues.

“I think in my 40s I felt there was some competitiveness with the younger women,” she said.

“I’m just trying to stay looking respectable in this industry.”

Dr Park said men are also feeling the heat, with an influx of males in their 50s among her newer patients. “It’s surprising because they’re so powerful but they’re quite threatened by the younger generation,” she said.

CLP cabinet minister John Elferink charged taxpayers more than $45,000 for a ‘study trip’ to the United States over the Christmas holidays, including visits to Cape Canaveral Space Base and Universal Studios.